PM Modi & Japan’s PM Shinzo Abe hold bilateral talks on sidelines of G20 Summit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe held Bilateral Talks on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Osaka, Japan this morning.

The Prime Minister’s Office said, during the meeting many aspects of India-Japan relations were discussed. It said, India Japan friendship is characterised by warmth and the promise of a bright future. It was first meeting between the two leaders since the start of Japan’s Reiwa era. MEA Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, PM Modi and PM Abe discussed broad range of topics of mutual interest.

During the meeting, PM Modi said that he was looking forward to visit of Prime Minister Abe to India later this year for the Annual Summit. Prime Minister is scheduled to address a community event in Hyogo Perfecture Guest House in Kobe on Wednesday.

PM Modi arrived in Osaka this morning to attend the G20 Summit which will begin tomorrow. PM will also hold talks with leaders of major partner countries on the sidelines of the summit. The Prime Minister is scheduled to meet US President Donald Trump on Friday and discuss important issues of bilateral and global importance.

PM Modi said PM Abe was the first friend to congratulate him after his party won in the general elections.

Speaking to reporters later, Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale said India and Japan today agreed to expand the strategic template of relationship between the two countries. Foreign Secretary said both the leaders discussed different aspects of Indo-Japan relations.

Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale said Prime Minister Modi said that he was looking forward to the visit of Prime Minister Abe to India later this year for the Annual summit.

Former Union Minister Suresh Prabhu, who is the Prime Minister’s Sherpa at the summit said, it provides good opportunities for India to put forward its views on various issues. Talking to DD News in Osaka, Minister of Civil Aviation, Suresh Prabhu said, under the leadership of PM Modi, India will put forth its views on issues of black money, economic offenders and terrorism. Union Minister said, countries should unite against the economic offenders and facilitate their extradition to their home country.

In his departure statement, PM Modi said he is looking forward to discussing major challenges and opportunities being faced by the world with other global leaders during the Summit.

Prime Minister said, the summit will provide an important opportunity to reiterate and reinforce India’s strong support to reformed multilateralism, which is crucial for preserving rule-based international order in today’s fast-changing world.

The theme of the summit is Human-centred future society. Issues such as food security, energy security, financial stability, terrorism-related matters, Innovation in the digital economy and artificial intelligence will be discussed. More than 20 countries will be participating in the G20 Summit. Informal meeting of the BRICS leaders will also be held on the sidelines of the summit.

India has participated in all the G20 Summits held so far. It will host the G20 summit in 2022 for the first time.